Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B (2): Defending wide in a back 3

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Scott Carson

Profile Summary

Name:	Scott Carson
City:	Clydebank
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

BLUE: 3-4-1-2

RED: 4-4-2

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Function

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Function (15 mins)

Setup

BLUE: GK, back 3 and RM

RED: 2 for and LM

Play begins with Blue GK who throws long to the feeder. A pass is played into the reds who must play through the wide channel before shooting. If Blue steal they return to feeder for 1 point or 3 if dribble through poles.

Progression: Once dribbled through gate pass back to feeder and run round top pole. Feeder quickly plays into red to see how they organise without a wide player.

Problem 1: Blue are too passive and reds are getting time and space to drive forward and play through.

Solution: Challenge for the blues, can they catch reds offside for 1 point? If they steal higher than the orange cones and return to feeder/through gate = 3 points. Encourage blues to be aggressive in pressing. As the head of the player on the ball goes down to pass, blues should sprint to get tight and then either get in front to intercept, or now contain to avoid being turned easily.

Problem 2: The back 3 are playing too high and reds are playing balls over the top into the space. Challenge for reds can they play over the top for 2 goals?

Solution: Blues get 2 points if the sweeper intercepts a ball in behind. Individual challenge for sweeper - can they see the numbers on the backs of the two CB's clearly. If not, too high. Can the gk prevent the long ball with starting position more relevant to where the back 3 are? Reference points from 6 yard, pen spot and edge of area.

Problem 3: Reds get 2 goals if the LM and LF can play a combination down the line. OR front 2 crossover and ball is played into channel. Reds are getting success around the back 3.

Solution: Distances between back 3 and RM need to be closer. Does the 4 make a curved shape and is the right CB providing defensive cover to the RM at an angle. Can the left CB position be in line with pen spot when ball is further than the pole closest to the middle. Everyone shifts across to reduce space in the wide channel.

Coaching Points

Person closest is aggressive on pressing the ball. As the head goes down by the passer that is the trigger for the defender to get tight.

Decision making: to intercept or do position body low and wait for the turn or pass back.

Communication: distances between the back 3. Sweeper dictating how high the line is.

Gk starting position and awareness of back 3 position

Pressure, cover, balance

Recovery runs once beat

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): MDG

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MDG (15 mins)

Setup: Attacking Red: 2-4-2

Defending Blue: 3-4-1

Game: Red Gk starts with the ball rolling out to either CB. Red must play into either wide channel before scoring. Blues have a maximum of 5 passes to score.

Condition Red: 2 goals if they can score from a cross in zone 16 or 18.

Target Blue: No player should be in the opposite zone when the ball is wide. Players should aim to be inside the middle zone when ball is central.

Challenge: Can the left or right centre back come across to support the wide midfielder when the opposition are attacking down the flank in the final 3rd.

Challenge Blue: 1 goal if they can play red offside.

Coaching Points:

Defensive line reference points such as edge of box when opposition attacking final 3rd, edge of zone 14 when at opposition gk

Communicate early - is the line correct? Are their potential dangers appearing ie striker dropping deep and not being marked.

Body shape - side on, down low. Able to step in and intercept or retreat ball in behind.

Anticipate: what kind of ball might the opposition play? Through, around, over.

Prevent wide midfielder from being left exposed 1v1 - provide cover